Derivation
Ne-o-pseph-ö'-tus - Gk, neos, new; Gk, psephotus, inlaid with pebbles: bourkii - Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of New South Wales 1831 - 1837
Habitat
Mulga and acacia scrublands, tree-lined watercourses in mulga country, semi-arid woodlands.
From south-western Queensland and far western New South Wales through Central Australia and extreme northern South Australia to some inland parts of Western Australia.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Food
Seeds of grasses and other herbaceous plants, procured from the ground.
Voice
A mellow, musical, yet quite sharp, penetrating and clear, 'chiew-eet, chw-iet, chew-iet', uttered in flight. A soft, musical twittering when perched in trees.
Bourke's Parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii) [XC311881]
by Andrew Spencer from Eulo Bore, Queensland, Australia (call)
Bourke's Parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii) [XC594261]
by Marc Anderson from Sturt NP, Olive Downs area, New South Wales, Australia (flight call)
Nest
In a hollow of a tree.
Eggs (Guide)
3 - 6; white; rounded; 20 - 21 x 17 - 18 mm. Incubation: about 18 days; by female.
Young
Fledge in about 28 days. Fed by both parents for a week or so after fledging.
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Generally unmistakable but can be confused with Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) and Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida) in fleeting flight views.
References
See References.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet